I am certain I have A-ADD what do I do?

[LTbulldogs]

I read a post on this site that suggested one of the original posters might have attention deficit disorder. I was interested in that comment because I had recently seen a commercial on TV that listed a few symptoms of aadd and described a lot of what occurs in my life on a daily basis. After reading the post, I decided to visit the site and take the test they offer to see if you fit the profile of a person living with aadd. Unfortunately, I passed the test with flying colors. I became a little skeptical so I decided to research the subject a little more. After doing so, my notions were assured by countless tests and consistent information. My question is this.. What do I do? do I go to a psychologist or psychiatrist for an official diagnosis? if so is that expensive? How expensive are the medicines that treat the disorder. Im kind of poor, actually, Im extremely poor. I want and need help. Where do I go?

thanks

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[16846]

Alcohol Associated Defecation Disorder?

 

[leorl]

I don't think that was funny...the OP is seriously just asking for advice. In case you really don't know, ADD = attention deficit disorder. To the OP, I'd first like to warn you of "medical student syndrome" in that we see a list of symptoms or even a web-based profile that really seems to fit our profile or what we're going through, we tend to internalize that. It could be that maybe while you're studying or something, you're just someone who needs breaks every 30 minutes and that's just how your mind works.

Perhaps, first try to go to your university counseling service and get an assessment - that should be free or of very minimal charge. Tell them your concerns and if they can't do anything there, at least they can point you in the right direction. If worst comes to worst, do you have medical insurance?

Even I think sometimes that "Yeah, jeezus, I MUST have ADD." But I'm always wary of using that as an excuse, you know? Cuz it happens far too often. And then they put you on drugs for the rest of your life, which I'm not a big fan of.

 

[ckent]

yes, being tested for add is fairly expensive because it's an extensive test that for some reason requires a specialist to administer. I'd reccomend seeing a neuropsychologist who specializes in add disorders. universities with neuropsychology graduate programs are one place to look for some place "cheap" because graduate students are always looking for patients to train on, but if you have health insurance, you should be able to get a referral from your primary care provider and you insurance should pay the bill. Don't pay too much attention to those drug company commercials, remember that they can be very misleading and their goal is to convince as many people as possible that they have a disease so that they can sell more of their drug. drug commercials should be banned IMO.

 

[HiddenTruth]

what site did you go to...i want to take the test

 

[periodista]

if you want medication, you'll most likely need to see a psychiatrist. i don't know of anywhere where psychologists can prescribe, tho it's possible they can somewhere i haven't heard about. many folks with adult add find medication quite helpful, esp with the grind of med school. if you're having an exceedingly difficult time studying because you can't concentrate and focus for long, some meds might be very beneficial.
good luck.

 

[Megalofyia]

The online test is rather flawed and subjective. There are actually lots of sites that have online screening tests.

Also there are many things that CAN look like ADD. Being tired and under stress, thyroid problems, depression, etc.

I would suggest going and talking to a councelor at your school. They should be able to refer you to cheap or free testing if you dont' have insurance... it is out there but you do have to look for it.

If your still interested in online sites that do screening here are some.
Mindixers.com


Adult ADD

ADD clinic

Checklist for girls with ADD

More adult ADD

Amen clinic

 

[omniatlas]

Heres an alternative:

<U>The Power of Now</U> by Eckhart Tolle; check it out on Amazon.

It works.

 

[DrLady]

Is ADD over diagnosed? After scanning some of the questions on these tests, I am realizing that some situations on these tests would apply to majority of the people..i am thinking.

 

[Megalofyia]

That is part of the problem with the online tests. Some may argue that ADD is both underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed.

 

[GeddyLee]

You don't need to go to a psychiatrist if you're concerned about ADD/ADHD. Talk to your family doctor about it. They'll most likely just write you the script for fear that they will lose your business if they don't write it.

Tell them "i saw an ad about ADD/ADHD and I think i may be afflicted with this disorder. Can I please have a prescription for (fill in the name of the drug here)."

They will almost certainly write the drug you asked for. Keener FP's will put you on a similar drug with a different name, to make themselves look more "doctorly."

If they refuse, tell them you are going to get "a second opinion." If this doesn't scare them into wrting the prescription, go to a new doctor and start over.

Hope this helps!!! They always said I'd feel good about helping people...and you know what...I DO!!

Geddy

 

[Megalofyia]

Originally posted by GeddyLee
You don't need to go to a psychiatrist if you're concerned about ADD/ADHD. Talk to your family doctor about it. They'll most likely just write you the script for fear that they will lose your business if they don't write it.

And if they write the script for you because they feel threatened like that find a new doctor with more morals. This is the sort of doctor who is willy nilly going to be giving you antibiotics just because you have a cold.

 

[16846]

Originally posted by leorl
I don't think that was funny...the OP is seriously just asking for advice. In case you really don't know, ADD = attention deficit disorder.

Groan... In case you didn't notice, the OP wrote AADD, NOT ADD. My joke was about the fact that they wrote AADD. If someone was going to ask about a disorder, you think they could at least get the acronym right. Jeez, I guess my humor was either not appreciated, or flew over people?s head?

 

[nutmegs]

Originally posted by InfiniteUni
Groan... In case you didn't notice, the OP wrote AADD, NOT ADD. My joke was about the fact that they wrote AADD. If someone was going to ask about a disorder, you think they could at least get the acronym right. Jeez, I guess my humor was either not appreciated, or flew over people?s head?

AADD=adult attention deficit disorder. they had it right.

 

[nutmegs]

Originally posted by DrLady
Is ADD over diagnosed? After scanning some of the questions on these tests, I am realizing that some situations on these tests would apply to majority of the people..i am thinking.

I think that test is more of marketing tool and not so much a diagnostic measure.

 

[schnoozer]

if you are in medical school...I would say there is good chance that you dont have ADD. As one of the other posts suggest, medical student syndrome may be a problem with medical students (esp 1st years with human behavior). To get into medical school, you would have to be able to concentrate to some extent. I just finished a bunch of test and am trying to study for one tomorrow (after one today) and I feel like I have and extreme case of ADD. Take a 5-10 min break every so often or go exercise...something like that. You may just need to alter your behavior so that you are able to concentrate a little better when you need to...ADD is over diagnosed and a lot of the symptoms that you are experiencing can easily be taken care of with minor adjustments (like not studying in front of your computer). Good luck

 

[Halcyon440]

Driven to Distraction by Hallowell and Ratey.

 

[16846]

Originally posted by nutmegs
AADD=adult attention deficit disorder. they had it right.

*Whips out trusty DSM-IV TR* I don't see any entry anywhere in here for AADD, only ADD/ADHD and their various subtypes. I assume that AADD is a lay term, and not generally accepted for professional use.

 

[periodista]

Originally posted by InfiniteUni
*Whips out trusty DSM-IV TR* I don't see any entry anywhere in here for AADD, only ADD/ADHD and their various subtypes. I assume that AADD is a lay term, and not generally accepted for professional use.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by nutmegs
I think that test is more of marketing tool and not so much a diagnostic measure.

Bingo. One of the big diagnostic tests for ADHD is the TOVA, an exceptionally boring 20-minute stimulus/response test. Those inventories are just to get you in seeing a physician so they can script you up.

 

[ckent]

adult add is kind of a misnomer since by definition, one must exhibit symptoms of add as a child in order to be diagnosed with add. drug companies came up with the term adult add in an effort to capture a larger patient population that they could drug up. i'm certain that many people have gone their whole lives with untreated and undiagnosed add, but if one's an adult, and they've already gotten this far in life with whatever adaptation they have been using, one has to wonder what the point of treating them is. what is more common is people who recall times when they weren't able to concentrate in lecture and on a boring topic (or as my roomate in college believed, that he had a much "greater potential" then he actually had because he thought that he had add), and these people get misdiagnosed with add and the drug companies profit off of their diagnosis. psych is a funny specialty if you think about it because all of their "pathology" is created by a group of psychiatrists who create arbitrary criteria in some attempt to label people into certain groups (eg depressed, bipolar, schizophrenic, etc), when usually, people don't fit into certain groups. I've never seen a psychiatrist use a dsm checklist to diagnose a patient, it's almost always just based on what their "impression" of the patient is, creating a lot of space for biaseness (eg black=schizophrenic, white=psychotic bipolar) and a lot of psychiatrists come up with different diagnoses for the same patient. can't say that i really blame the drug companies for coming up with their own psych diagnoses too (PMDD), since their "disorders" seem to be just as legit as the DSM disorders. i'm certainly not suggesting that there are no "legit disorders" in psych since there obviously are, but I just don't think that they just have been able to create a good way to diagnose anything yet IMO.

 

[baggywrinkle]

Originally posted by LTbulldogs
How expensive are the medicines that treat the disorder. Im kind of poor, actually, Im extremely poor. I want and need help. Where do I go?

thanks

Collar one of your practitioner buddies and tell him you want to try some Strattera. Plan on spending about 85 dollars a month for the drug or get real good insurance.

Strattera is being marketed with adults in mind. They hope it will be the new prozac. A chicken in every pot and Strattera in every medicine kit.

If 85 bucks is too swish, try lots of exercise and chains at your desk to help keep you on task. Meditation and Reiki is also cheap.

 

[tofurious]

If you think you have adult ADD, try to focus!!!

Whichever manufacturer that makes Ritalin must be running out of their patent soon, thus they were forced to come up with another INDICATION to renew their patents. Medical professionals should be aware of the reason why there are all these new diseases (social anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, adult attention deficits): old drugs (Paxil, Prozac, Ritalin) need new indications for patent renewal so drug makers can continue to charge brand name costs for drugs that otherwise would have become generic under current FDA regulations.

 

[Mirror Form]

If you think you have ADD just try medicating yourself with some ephedrine (or any stimulant) as needed. Even if you don't have ADD, any psychostimulant (ephedrine, caffeine, Ritalin, amphetamine, etc) will help you study better and pay closer attention in class. I wouldn't get scripted up to take the stuff everyday unless you have some serious issues, which you probably don't if you've made it this far.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by tofurious
If you think you have adult ADD, try to focus!!!

I hope you're joking. "If you're sick, just try to make more antibodies!"

 

[gwyn779]

One of the key features of adult ADD is that you had symptoms since childhood. Smart people tend to get underdiagnosed because they compensate and can even get good grades until they reach a certain point. I think medical school may highlight the symptoms for someone previously undiagnosed because it involves such a huge amount of memorization which requires a lot more consistent attention than even college (depending on the major). I agree with Megalofyia, I think ADD is both over- and under-diagnosed. Again, can you say you had these same attention problems in childhood? Do they affect more than one aspect of your life? (e.g. do you get distracted driving so that you rear-end someone?) If not, you probably don't really have ADD. If you do, go talk to someone who can figure out if you really have it, which requires more than just checklists of symptoms.

 

[yeti00]

Originally posted by schnoozer
if you are in medical school...I would say there is good chance that you dont have ADD.

Actually, I'm in medical school and I have ADD. Yes, my brain works differently than most other people's, but I've adapted and led a pretty successful life.

My recommendation would be to get evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist who is familiar with Adult ADD. True, your family doctor can give you a prescription in fifteen minutes (or less!), but is that really what you want? A person who specializes in AADD can spend time on 1. if you have it and 2. how to live with it.

Also, do some research and find out what the different treatment options are. Figure out if you want to try medication, and what kind. Unlike the other posts, I don't think it's necessary to get medicated to live with ADD (I'm not), although certainly many people find it useful. Medicine isn't the only answer, and you should ask about the various other options which are sometimes just as effective.

Also, since strattera has been brought up, it's neuropharmacological profile looks exactly like tricyclic antidepressants. Try tricyclics before strattera (think $9 vs. $85 dollars/month) since they are avaialble in generics. Although I should say that strattera has specifically been approved for use in adults (but we all know what a political process that is). Also, be wary of stimulants like Ritalin. I would do some reading on it before taking it... It do some pretty extreme things to your brain.

Hope that's helpful...

 

[jayski2030]

I'd say check withthe counseling center in your school first (if there is one). At my school, i think it's difficult to get adderrall or ritalin through the counseling center because so many drugigie kids go there trying to to fake the symptoms. If it doenst work out at the counseling center, or if you don't have one at your school, it would depend where you live. I New York, it's fairly simple for a broke student to get signed up with Health First or another public health insurance plan and youll get free psych evaluations and scripts. I'm not sure about other states. Most urban areas do have sliding scale clinics at least that you'll find to be much cheaper than a private doctor.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by gwyn779
One of the key features of adult ADD is that you had symptoms since childhood. Smart people tend to get underdiagnosed because they compensate and can even get good grades until they reach a certain point. I think medical school may highlight the symptoms for someone previously undiagnosed because it involves such a huge amount of memorization which requires a lot more consistent attention than even college (depending on the major). I agree with Megalofyia, I think ADD is both over- and under-diagnosed. Again, can you say you had these same attention problems in childhood? Do they affect more than one aspect of your life? (e.g. do you get distracted driving so that you rear-end someone?) If not, you probably don't really have ADD. If you do, go talk to someone who can figure out if you really have it, which requires more than just checklists of symptoms.

In my limited experience, I would agree with everything posted here. I have friends diagnosed significantly ADHD, and based on informal research I did, I suspected it in myself for a long time but never did anything about it because I was working around my difficulties just fine. Once I started dental school, however, it became an entirely different ballgame.

It's always had some impact on various areas of my life (I've come disturbingly close to the rear-end collision example above more than once), but it killed me from the outset in pro school. I was recently diagnosed, and I'm pretty comfortable with the process that led up to it. Going to a psych instead of an FP, someone who spent a good amount of time interviewing me (and my fianc&eacute;e) before making any conclusions, was definitely beneficial.

I've been forced to essentially write this first semester off, based on the marginal grades I earned in the beginning, but I'm on medication (Strattera) and it's done me a world of good. I have very high hopes for next semester and beyond. Good luck to the OP.

 

[maya]

Aphistis, how do you like the Strattera? I'm currently taking Adderall XR but I've been thinking about switching. Do you have any experience with Adderall?

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by maya
Aphistis, how do you like the Strattera? I'm currently taking Adderall XR but I've been thinking about switching. Do you have any experience with Adderall?

No, I don't have any experience with the traditional stimulant medications. The psych put me on Strattera from the beginning, and explained that newly-diagnosed patients without exposure to stimulants tend to respond very well, but patients who are accustomed to the "kick-start" of the stimulants tend to be a little disoriented at first when it disappears, since it works via a different mechanism. The first few days I took it, I sometimes just a little bit dizzy for a few minutes after taking it, and it made my stomach hurt a bit; neither was substantial, though, and the benefits set in almost immediately. I'm pretty pleased with it.

 

[Megalofyia]

I used to take Adderall then I tried Strattera. My brother also tried strattera both of us has side effects that were bothersome enough that we didnt' continue.
I felt really overly tired even when I switched to taking it at night.
I had alot nausea all the time.
I took it for about a month and a half with out a decrease in the side effects. I know there are others who had similar experiences to mine and then those who are doing quite well on it.
If the adderall xr is working well for you I would not suggest switching. The adderall was no longer working well for me.

 

[Back34]

For what it's worth, I definitely have ADD and I as I look back, it's probably been there my entire life. I was able to compensate for it, but now -- I'm and MSII -- it's gotten too difficult to get through the material, study, retain material etc. Frankly, I don't understand how I got through year I without medication.I was prescribed Wellbutrin a few weeks back and have nothing except great things to say about it.

For those who haven't experienced ADD, it's watching T.V. with a channel surfer. You want to watch the football game on channel 12, but you can only catch an occasional glimpse and don't really get the full effect. The problem is that the more you try to concentrate the worse it gets. The medication allows you to watch one channel at a time -- man, talk about a world of difference. Anyways, if you think you're dealing with something along those lines, definitely get it checked out and get treated.

 

[El Chupacabra]

I bed to differ with many on this post who state "if you made it this far you probably don't have ADD." Adults and children who experience attention difficulties usually have a remarkable ability to master and sustain attention on those tasks they value. Obviously, most MS enjoy medicine and considerate the field facinating. My pops is an ortho, and his face is found on page 85 in the DSM-IV. So, is ADHD overdiagnosed...probably; however, that shouldn't dissuade those from thinking there is a legitimate neurofunctional problems with SOME individuals who diligently attempt to focus. For those of you who are not convince ADHD is a neurofunctional disorder, I encourage you to visit amenclinic.com, and look at the SPECT (Single Photon Emissions Computerized Tomography) imaging results that conclusively show there is decreased PFC activity in the brains of those individuals with ADHD who attempt to concentrate. Take care all

 

[mdblue]

Adult ADHD is not uncommon, that said I would suggest you to see a psychiatrist for a trial of stimulants. It's almost diagnostic and if you really are suffering from ADHD, you'll feel the difference in a couple of days(literally!). However not all sx of ADHD responds equally to stimulants. Also there is other option of using atomoxetine which if you believe the pharmaceutical-sponsored trials is worth a try an Adult ADHD.
And believe me don't go by those online tests-I guess more than 75% of SDNers will test +ve- the specificity is too low for adult variety(which is actually a continuation from childhood).
Hope this helps.

 

[El Chupacabra]

A recent study found ALL of those who took a prescribed psychostimulant performed better with sustained concentration. So, if you notice an increase in your ability to focus on a stimulant, that does not necessarily mean you have ADHD; however, it might be indicative of the disorder. If your physician does not have neurofunctional imaging capabilities, those extensive checklist along with a history are usually your best bet.

 

[deleted29780]

a trick approach

 

[gwyn779]

Originally posted by mjf
I beg to differ with many on this post who state "if you made it this far you probably don't have ADD."

I agree. Another problem is that smart people tend to compensate very well for their ADD. If you don't have to study as hard to get something, then not being able to study won't affect you. For some, medical school may be the first time they're asked to truly sit down for long periods of time and concentrate on studying.

 

[maya]

I couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[Funshine0123]

I'll preface this with the fact that I know I'm not allowed to ask for a medical opinion on here, but I'm going to ask my questions anyhow.
- I've been told as a child that I had ADD (not ADHD - is there an actual difference, for those of you who seem to be able to quote the DSM IV?)
Anyhow, I was never medicated for it, & have seem to have done alright - I mean, hey, I made it to med school. I have noticed that I don't always have the best patience for repetition, especially if it's something that I already know, but I've read things on intelligence & honestly wouldn't know if that was ADD or just being smart.

I'm really interested though, because I followed some of the links & took the quiz & it asked about highs & lows in moods. Is that characteristic of ADD to have some extremes? (We haven't studied these diseases yet, so I'm pretty sure it's not medical-student-itis & none of the moods are extreme enough to be manic or anything like that, but they definitely have peaks & troughs). Can anyone, especially those of you with ADD/AADD comment on that part of it, or things that you have done (besides meds) that have helped you manage any of your issues?

Thanks,
I guess I should go study the upper limb & histology of blood & lymph (I HATE histology - I'm so hiring a lab tech if I need one once I'm through med school)

 

[catchmehere44]

I was diagnosed with ADHD just a few months ago and I wish I had known earlier cuz the medication that I am taking makes a huge difference with regard to my ability to sit at one place for a long time and not fidget when I am expected to stand still.

You must understand that for a diagnosis, you must exhibit the characteristic symptoms in more than just one area of your life.
For example, if you are not able to stick with one romantic partner for long and you can't stick to one major or be interested in anything in your life for more than a few days, the chances that you have add are higher... Exhibiting the symptoms in just one area of your life is not sufficient for a diagnosis.

I am on adderall right now and as I said above it really really helps. From what you described, it doesn't seem too likely that your childhood add has progressed into adulthood (this is the case in like 30 % of childhood diagnoses) because what you described seems to be something that any person could face at some point depending on personality type.

I thank my lucky stars that my above average intelligence has helped me pull through college n hope the med school committees will show some understanding.

I also find that when I study with someone who is very motivated, I am able to focus much better. Surprisingly, many of my friends with whom I discussed my problem started to think that they have ADD too! They seemed to have the same problems focusing etc.

I know that mine isn't just a motivation problem because I really make myself sit down to do something. It's just that once I do that, my brain is not able to prioritize info and I end-up fidgeting so much due to the anxiety and frustration. Once I took meds, I realized how much I enjoyed being focused on what I was studying, and the material was truly interesting to me. So it's not a motivation problem.

Hope this helps! Anyone else here wanna share experiences and tried and tested methods to combat ADD/ADHD?